Apparatus for forming filaments



Oct. 18, 1932. TAYLQR 1,883,423

' APPARATUS FOR FORMING FILAMENTS Filed Jan. 2, 1929 l ENTOR Howe Taalor BY s w ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITEDVSTA'TES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD TAYLOR, F CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 CELANESE CORPORA- Y TION OF AMERICA, A, CORPORATION OF DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR "romaine 1 FILAMENTS Application filed January 2, 1929. Serial No. 329,870.

This invention relates to the manufacture of spinning heads or jets and fittings therefor which are used in the formation of filaments, threads or bristles from solutions of cellulosic materials such as, for example, viscose, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate or other cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ethers.

An object of this invention is to provide a spinneret which will permit the simultaneous production of a large number of filaments. A further object of this invention is to increase the number of outlets in the spinneret which may be served with one pump or denier control. Another object of this invention is to devise a spinneret or jet which can be subjected to high pressure without the spinneret becoming deformed or distorted.

Still another object of this invention is to devise a construction of the spinning head which will permit easy access to the various parts for cleaningthe. same and for the replacement of the parts, when the unit contains a very large number of filament forming orifices.

A still further object of this invention is to make it possible toincrease the spacing. be tween each hole or outlet, because of the'large perforating areas or peripheries now made available, I thereby increasing the solvent recovery and dryingeflicienciesin dry spinning processes and improving the liquor contact and precipitating properties in wet spinning processes.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following detailed description.

Many types of nozzles and jets have been devised for use in the manufacture of artificial filaments and threads from viscous solutions of cellulose and of its derivatives such as the cellulose estersand ethers. These jets have been found tobe objectionable because of their inability to, withstand high pressures encountered in forcing the various viscous solutions through the minute orifices in the jet face. 7 jets are found to be distorted, the distortion resulting in changing the cross sections of the orifices and in the formation of filaments After a short period of use these which vary not only in cross sectionbut also I in appearance.

Further, the size of the jets was restricted in ratio to the solution viscosity thus limiting output per unit. Additional difliculties were encountered as the size of the jet orifices was reduced when such reduction was desired in order to produce the smaller or finer deniers,

because of the increased back pressure thus created. 7 I

It was with the obj ect of overcoming these defects that the present invention was made. Not onlyhave I been able to prevent the distortion of the jet face but I have also made it possible to increase the number of filaments which can be formed from one jet. This I have accomplished by so altering the configuration of the jet that it is better ableto withstand thehi'gh pressures utilized and by altering the fittings so that a large part of the jet is able to be reinforced towithstand high pressures without in any way interfering with the filament formation. This device also makesit possible, where desirable, to further increase the number of filament forming holes in the jet by simply'increasing the diameter of the jet andfitting. The matter of pressure is equally taken care of in large. or

small units. My invention is equally applicable to the so called wet spinning and dry spinning processes. V

In the accompanying drawing,:in which like numerals areused to designate like parts throughout the same.

. Figure 1 is a vertical sectionalview of the assembled spinning jet and its fittings.

'Figure2 is a bottom plan View of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the jet or spinneret. j I

In the drawing, 10 represents the assembled device as shown in Figure 1, the same being shown attached to the candle, 11 by meansof the fitting, 12. The fitting, 12 which compriws the male member of the jet device is'formed formedon its under side with an annular ring or chamber as shown at 14. Into this cham- 7 tion, 17 of the disc, 18. The disc,

ber, 14, the filament forming solution is delivered from the candle through the hollow projection, 13 and the oblique channels, 15. There may be two or more of these channels, the device shown, being provided with four. The bottom of the member, 12- is also formed, at its centre, with a hole, 16 which is internal- 1y threaded to receive the threaded projec- 18 is provided on the face opposite the projection, 17 with a slot, 19 to permit its adjustment 011 the fitting. This disc serves to reinforce the face of the spinning jet to prevent distortion thereof.

In Figure 3 is shown the modified form of jet face, 20. This jet'or spinneretis formed with an annular trough or depression, 21 which is adapted to be placed in alignment with the annular chamber, 14 of the memher, 12. In the bottom of this annular trough are drilled a series of holes, 22 through which the spinning solution is to be extruded. The spinneret is provided with a central opening, 25 and with a circumferential flan ge, 23, which flange engages the shoulder, 24: of the fitting, 12 When the device is assembled. 26 designates a coupling member which is internally threaded as at 27. This coupling member is formed with an inwardly extend- =:ing flange, 28 upon which the flange, 23 of the spinneret is adapted to rest.

The-operation of the device is as follows: The spinning solution is fed through the candle 11 fll'lClIIlS delivered from the passages 15 into the chamber 21. vDue to the pres- :sure under which the spinning solution is fed it is extruded through the minute orifices '22 in the spinneret in the form of line fila- 'ments. These "filaments-can now be sub- ;jected to the action of a heated inert gas to removethe "solventito form artificial filaments or they :may be conducted into and through a liquid precipitating and fixing bath when a wet spinning .process is employed. The "present invention is equally adaptable to the dry and wet spinning processes.

It will be-seen from the assembly of'thenew device that .it is quite simple in construction and easily dismantled for cleaning, adjust-'- ment or replacement of parts. When assembled suitable washers may be inserted between the flange 23 and the shoulder 24 and/ or between the flange 23 and the flange28 to provide :a 'leakproof connection. The disc 18 is then attached and adjusted in close abutting relationship with the lower side of the jet 20, serving to reinforce the central portion of the jet and to prevent distortion thereof as a result of the pressure utilized in the process. This disc may beof any desired-material, but is preferably of metal and should be of such thickness that its lower surface will be in substantially the same plane as the filament forming holes. Where'considered necessary or advisable a filter may be threads, bristles,-etc. even "cumfe'rential flange,

formed from one spinneret thus greatly in- 4 creasing the output capacity of the filament fibre manufacturing machines,,which usually is much greater than the spinneret capacity. Thus for example, a spinneret I constructed as -hereinbefore set out, capable of producing up to 200 filaments has been used Without the slightest distortion of the spinneret, whereas previously a much smaller number of filaments was the maximum which could be obtained with the usual means and solution viscosity. The filaments obtained are uniform in appearance and cross section.

This improvement in the spinning jet has another-beneficial result. It makes possible the utilization of extremely fine gauges of metal for spinneret construction. This makes practicable the production of smaller filament forming holes, which in turn produce filaments of finer'denier. This is highly desirable since the finer the denier of the filament, the more the latter is analagous to real silk in appearance and hand.

It is tobe understood that the description and drawing disclose but one embodiment in my invention. Many possible variations in the respective parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. The :term filament as used in the claims and specification includes within its scope though they'be of special cross section.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat'- ent is: w

1. In a device for forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting, a spinneret :formed with an annular depression, a mem- --ber for coupling said spinneret and candle fitting and means for reinforcing said spinneret within the annular depression.

2. In a device for forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting, a spinneret :formed with an annular depression and acira :member for. coupling said spinneret and candle fitting and "formed with an inwardly extending flange'adap'ted to contact the flangepf the spinneret and means for reinforcing said spinneret within the annular depression.

3. In "a device for forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting, .a spinneret formed with an annular depression, a member for coupling said spinneret and candle tting and a metal disc adapted for :attachment to the jet fitting for reinforcing the central portion of the spinneret.

4. Ina device for forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting,'a jet fitting provided on its'innder side with an annular inverted trough and -means of communicajet and the upper por= tion between the central portion of said candle fitting and said trough, a spinneret provided with an annular depression adapted to align with the annular trough of the jet fitting to form anannular chamber, a coupling member and means for reinforcing the spinneret.

5. In a device for forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting, a jet fitting provided on its under side with an annular inverted trough and means of communication between the central portion of said candle fitting and said trough, a spinneret pro- Vided with a circumferential flange and an annular depression adapted to align with the annular trough of the jet fitting to form an annular chamber, a coupling member formed with an inwardly extending flange adapted to contact the flange of the spinneret and means for reinforcing said spinneret.

6. In a d-evicefor forming filaments the combination of a candle fitting, a jet fitting provided on its under side with an annular inverted trough and means of communica tion between the central portion of said candle fitting and said trough, a spinneret provided with a circumferential flange and an annular depression adapted to align with the annular trough of the jet fitting to form an annular chamber, a coupling member formed with an inwardly extending flange adapted to contact the flange of the spinneret, and a metal disc adapted for attachment to the jet fitting for reinforcing the central portion of the spinneret.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HOWARD TAYLOR. 

